The laid-back attitude of Redbook's March 2006 cover girl has won her all kinds of fans -- from Howard Stern to Redbook's own editor in chief, Stacy Morrison. Here, a sneak peek from the cover shoot.

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Earlier that day: Crow performed at the Hard Rock Café in New York City during the party celebrating Howard Stern's move to Sirius Satellite radio. Crow was the only performer Stern requested, and she reportedly mentioned on stage the debt she feels America and musicians owe the shock jock. (We're guessing that's more about Stern's fight for free speech than his racy brand of humor.)

On set: The mood at the four-and-a-half-hour shoot was relaxed. Crow came in with her friend and hairstylist, wearing jeans and an old T-shirt, with her naturally wavy hair damp and no makeup on her face. She was easygoing, gamely trying on floaty, colorful dresses she wasn't sure were her usual style but that Redbook's creative director, Tracy Everding, liked (such as the burgundy one she's wearing on page 104). "She's teensy, tiny!" says Editor-in-Chief Stacy Morrison, who went to the shoot to meet Crow. "One of our favorite pairs of pants for her to wear -- incredible Ralph Lauren Collection ivory canvas jeans embellished with chestnut leather swirls and piping -- just swam on her tiny frame."

On camera: "Sheryl is one of the most comfortable and open celebrities I've ever seen in front of the camera," says Redbook's photography director, Bruce Perez. "She just has a great honesty about her." The shoot took place in a small, beautiful New York City apartment. When photographer Robert Ascroft asked Crow to sit on the floor, she plopped down and made herself comfortable, slinging her arm around a couch and looking straight into the camera "like she was talking to her best friend," says Perez. "It was amazing, exactly what you hope for."